If I accept the offer to go to London, can I still be considered to study on-campus
in Saratoga Springs in September?No. We depend on your commitment to the London program when we make our plans for
the fall semester. You will need to choose whether to go to London OR commit to an
on-campus spot in September.

What will happen if I accept this offer and then I change my mind?Your initial deposits are non-refundable. You may be responsible to Skidmore for any
monies already paid by Skidmore on your behalf, or in any respect committed on your
behalf, that are not retrievable by Skidmore. Once you arrive in London, no fees are
refundable.'

What kind of student profile presents the best prospect for success in London?According to past participants of the London program, independent, adaptable, open-minded,
adventurous, mature, tolerant, and responsible students succeed in London. Students
tell us that people who tend to be reluctant to engage in new experiences might find
it more difficult to adjust.

Will I be able to talk to someone who has studied with Skidmore’s First-Year Experience
in London before making my decision?Yes. Returning students from previous London programs have volunteered to e-mail or
talk with prospective students to answer questions from the student perspective. Let
us know, and we will provide contact information for a student that has already studied
in London. If you attend an Accepted Candidates Day, you may speak with past participants
at our information table.

Will there be an orientation program for the enrolled London students?Yes. All students going to London will begin the fall semester with a 2-day orientation
on the Saratoga Springs campus. The group will travel together to a New York City
airport and fly as a group to London. After arrival in London, orientation will continue
in London with the faculty directors, IES staff, and Skidmore Program Assistant. See
Orientation and Activities for arrival and orientation dates.

Do I need a visa to travel to London?Yes, students will need a visa to travel to London. The only students that do not
need a visa are those students who are citizens of the UK or European Union. If you
are a US citizen, you will be able to enter the UK as a Short Term Student. There
is no fee for this visa and you will apply for it upon entry into the United Kingdom
at the airport. If your citizenship is other than U.S., check with a British Consulate
to find out what type of visa you will need or contact Off-Campus Study & Exchanges
at Skidmore College for more information. Please note that visa requirements are subject
to change.

Will there be opportunities to travel while I’m studying in London?YES! Skidmore will plan a number of cultural and social activities in and around London
during the semester. Many students also travel independently during the mid-semester
break. Non-U.S. citizens may need to apply for additional visas to travel to countries
in Europe other than the U.K.

Can parents visit in London?While it is not recommended for parents to visit while classes are in session, some
families may wish to visit their sons and daughters during the mid-semester break
or at the end of the program. On the other hand, the break is, for many students,
a great time to engage in their own independent travel. We do expect that students
will meet their academic and programmatic responsibilities regardless of when family
and friends visit. Visitors to London, including family, are not permitted to participate
in field trips or activities related to the program.

Is it expensive to live in London? How should I plan?Goods and services cost about twice as much as those in larger U.S. cities. Returning
students have told us that they were glad they had saved money from their summer jobs
to take advantage of the wonderful cultural offerings in London. Don’t forget: tuition,
room, most meals, local transportation, and many cultural experiences will be pre-paid.
Students will receive a stipend of about £460 per month to be used toward food and
local transportation. Also, students can apply their Skidmore financial aid package
to the cost of the London FYE program.

Will it be hard to become part of the Skidmore community when I return from London?The best way to become a real part of your Skidmore class on your return is to introduce
yourself to others, join organizations, audition for plays, try out for sports teams,
or apply for leadership positions. Previous participants tell us that being part of
a returning group from London helped too, as they had many ‘ready-made’ friendships
before reaching campus.

If I am planning to be pre-med or major in the sciences, can I still study in London?

With careful planning and close advisement, pre-med students and students planning
to major in the sciences can study in London for their first semester at Skidmore.
Some of Skidmore’s pre-med and science major course requirements are sequenced and
the first course in the sequence may only be offered in the fall semester on the Saratoga
Springs campus. This means you may have to wait until your sophomore fall to take
the first course in the sequence of requirements for certain departments. Most of
the courses available in London are based in the humanities and social sciences except
for Calculus I, which may fulfill a mathematics requirement for some science majors.

For students that need to take BI-105 and BI-106 (the first year of biology), BI-105
is only offered in the fall and BI-106 is only offered in the spring. London students
can petition the Chair of the Biology department to take BI-106 in the spring semester
and BI-105 in sophomore fall. The Chair of Biology will inquire about the student’s
math and writing skills in order to consider such a petition.

You are strongly encouraged to contact the Chair of your intended major department
or the Health Professions Advising Committee (HPAC) before you commit to London and discuss your options

Where will I live when I come to Skidmore in January?London FYE students will live on campus when they return to Skidmore for the spring
semester. Students will be sent a housing questionnaire to complete in late October
for spring semester housing on campus. The Office of Residential Life places students
in on-campus housing where space is available, and upper class students have first
choice in housing.

Will I get into the classes I want for the second semester at Skidmore?You will register for classes using the Skidmore online registration system in the
same manner as the rest of the first-year class. Upper class students have first choice
of courses. Thus, first-year students should plan for a flexible range of course choices.
The Skidmore faculty directors in London serve as faculty advisors for the London
FYE students and will advise the students about registering and course selection for
the spring semester.